Beretta 92 pistol series

The Beretta 92 and variants are used by the following actors in the following movies, TV series, anime, and video games:

NOTE: In the past, the Beretta 92F and 92FS have often been misnamed on IMFDB as "M92F" (as this page was originally titled), "M92FS", or "92 FS" with a space in between the "92" and "FS". These are incorrect names; the correct versions are "Beretta 92F" or "Beretta 92FS", as Beretta does not use the "M for Model" prefix on their weapons. Please do not use any of the mis-named versions on any future pages, and please correct older pages with this error.

Beretta 92

The first model of the Beretta 92 series featured a rounded trigger guard, frame mounted slide stop safety (as opposed to the later pistols' slide mounted decocking safety), an early style floor plate, and a butt located magazine release. Only about 5000 of this model were produced between 1975 and 1976, the first 1000 of which featured a stepped slide (the thickness decreases just ahead of the chamber) and unbranded grip plates. The original Model 92 was produced from 1975 to 1981.

Note: Refering to any other model of Beretta as a "Beretta 92" when not referring to this model is incorrect designation.

Anime

Beretta 92S

Beretta 92S - 9x19mm. This is one of the earliest Beretta 92 variants. Note the magazine release button on the bottom of the pistol grip and early style magazine floor plate.

Beretta 92S with wooden grips - 9x19mm

Introduced in 1977, the Beretta 92S is distinctive as it is the first modification of the original Beretta 92. The 92S is far closer to modern Beretta pistols than its predecessor, as the 92S made major modifications that are still used today, such as adding an early slide-mounted combined safety and decocking lever, which replaced the 92's frame mounted manual thumb safety. Unlike later variants, the 92S is easily identified by it only having the safety-decocker on the left side, the later Beretta 92SB would make the safety ambidextrous and would alter the design of the safety lever.

Despite not seeing the level of success as later designs, the 92S was adopted by practically every Italian police agency and helped set the stage for later developments on Beretta pistols. In 1977, the US Navy also ordered a large number of the modified 92S-1 after it outperformed competing pistols. The Beretta 92S was produced until 1984. Unlike its predecessor, the 92S is plentiful on the surplus market (due in large part to its long service life with Italian police) and prices are still quite low.

Television

Beretta 92SB

Beretta 92SB - 9x19mm

Beretta 92SB with wood grips - 9x19mm

Introduced in 1980, the Beretta 92SB was the modified version of the 92S, with a changed magazine release and an ambidextrous and more ergonomic safety. The 92S-1 was a 92S which was modified to meet the requirements of a US Navy contract. The 92SB was differentiated from the 92S-1 by an automatic firing pin block safety that was added, as well as enhanced grip texture. The 92SB was adopted by the Italian State Police, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza. One of the most important agencies to adopt the 92SB in the United States was the Connecticut State Police. Some of the other changes from the regular 92S include: retaining the 92S's straight front strap on the grip, but adding texturing on the front strap as well as an angular 92F-type trigger that replaced the curved 92S-type trigger. The 92SB is easily identified by its rounded trigger guard, as the 92F and 92FS would later incorporate the squared trigger guard. The 92SB was later modified in 1984 as the 92SB-F (with a squared trigger guard, Bruniton finish, a chrome lined bore and other minor changes) and was discontinued that year when the 92SB-F became the 92F and won the US Military Trials. Despite being produced for only four years, the 92SB did briefly see service as the US Air Force sidearm, though it was eventually replaced with the SIG-Sauer P228. The 92SB is one of the more scarce and desirable 92 variants.

Beretta 92F/FS

In 1984, the 92SB-F entered the Joint Service Small Arms Program competition to be the standard-issue sidearm for the entire US Armed Forces. After grueling testing, in April of 1985, the 92SB-F, renamed the M9, won the program and became the new sidearm of the US military. 315,930 pistols were ordered for a total value of approximately $75 million. Four out of five branches of the military issue the Beretta M9; all five did until 2006 when the USCG adopted the SIG-Sauer P229 DAK. In 2017, the M9 was replaced with the SIG-Sauer P320 as the standard-issue U.S Military sidearm, though the military is still using M9s. In 1987, the 92SB-F/M9 was renamed simply the 92F and was released on the civilian market. The 92F was very popular, but after slide issues with some of the first batch of military guns (later determined to be the result of bad ammunition), the 92F was replaced with the improved 92FS in 1988, which is still being produced today. The 92FS is essentially just a slightly modified 92F, with a reinforced slide, a reversible magazine release, a slightly modified backstrap, a slanted dust cover and matte black plastic grips rather than the glossy black ones seen on all previous Beretta 92 models. The 92F also has two-dot "combat" sights as opposed to the 92FS's 3-dot sights. All military M9s feature the two-dot sights.

The M9 is one of the most frequently seen weapons in film today (however, there are few actual "M9s" seen in movies and TV shows; property masters and armorers almost always use the civilian 92FS, even when the pistols are seen in the hands of actors playing US military personnel.). Also, keep in mind that the Brazilian Taurus PT92 and PT99 are also used to stand-in for the Beretta 92F in some movies and TV shows, when the Beretta is not available. For a description of the visual differences between the Beretta and the Taurus, visit the Taurus PT92 page.

Beretta 92F - 9x19mm. The cosmetic differences are very slight and hard to see between this gun and the newer 92FS. Most of the changes are the inner workings of the gun.

Beretta 92F (Early Model) - 9x19mm (Other side showing "92F" on slide) Other than the slim grip covers (the 92F is slightly different with a gloss black plastic, versus the 92FS) the pistol is difficult to tell apart from a 92FS. The only real proof is the year a movie was made and whether or not the 92FS existed yet.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

Two-Tone Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm. This has a Stainless Slide on a standard Frame & Barrel.

American made Beretta 92FS Inox with all white controls and screws on the pistol grip - 9x19mm

Beretta M9A1 Compact Inox - 9x19mm

Inox is short for Inoxidizable, the 92FS Inox features a stainless steel construction instead of a blued carbon steel construction. The following parts made in stainless steel: the barrel, the slide (including the extractor, the safety and the right-side manual safety lever), the trigger, the trigger pin, and slide stop lever. The frame is made from a forged aluminum alloy like the standard FS models, however it is anodized to match the color. The Inox series can have either black or stainless controls.

NOTE: The Beretta 92FS Inox was first introduced in 1990, and was the very first pistol that Beretta ever offered with the stainless Inoxidizable finish. None of Beretta's earlier 92-series pistols, including the original 92F or the 92SB, were ever offered with the Inox finish. Therefore, any movie made prior to 1990 cannot possibly feature the 92FS Inox. If you see a silver Beretta pistol in a movie made before 1990, it is most likely a nickel-plated Beretta pistol that was re-finished by a gunsmith (the Inox finish is a dull matte stainless, whereas nickel finishes are shiny). It is also possible that you may be looking at a Taurus PT92, which is a Brazilian pistol that is commonly mistaken by viewers for the Beretta (unlike the Beretta 92 series, the Taurus PT92 has been offered with factory stainless and nickel finishes since 1985). Always check carefully and never assume that a silver Beretta-type pistol is a 92FS Inox unless you are sure.

Anime

Beretta 92FS Brigadier

Beretta 92FS Brigadier - 9x19mm

The Brigadier series is a Beretta 92FS with a heavier slide (recognizable by the large triangular projections running halfway along the slide over the barrel). The Brigadier series was introduced in 1993 and designed to hold up better against hotter loads and higher round counts than conventional Berettas. The slide is reinforced at the locking lugs for greater durability, creating a trademark “hump” in the slide’s contour. One of the first users of this style slide was the US Border Patrol, who ordered the Brigadier version of the 96D. Many users have noticed that the Brigadier slide provides the unintended benefit of reducing felt recoil and muzzle rise.

Anime

Beretta 92FS Brigadier Inox

Beretta 92FS Brigadier Inox with Hogue wrap-around grips, as seen in The Matrix Revolutions - 9x19mm

Inox is short for Inoxidizable, the 92FS Brigadier Inox is a 92FS Brigadier featuring Beretta's Inox finish. Introduced in 1993 like the standard Brigadier models, the Brigadier Inox design features a stainless steel construction instead of a blued carbon steel construction. The following parts made in stainless steel: the barrel, the slide (including the extractor, the safety and the right-side manual safety lever), the trigger, the trigger pin, and slide stop lever. The frame is made from a forged aluminum alloy like the standard FS models, however it is anodized to match the color. The Inox series can have either black or stainless controls.

Anime

Beretta 92D/DS

Beretta 92D - 9x19mm

Beretta 92DS - 9x19mm

Introduced in 1990, the 92D is the double action only variant of the 92FS designed for law enforcement use. The 92D is easily identifiable by its flat hammer and lack of a safety/decocking lever. The 92D series spawned several variants of its own, such as the 96D (which was adopted by the US Border Patrol), the 92D Centurion and the 92DS. The 92DS is essentially a standard double-action/single-action Beretta 92FS with a safety/decocking lever but the flat spurless hammer of the 92D. This requires the first shot to be in double action mode, though all subsequent shots can be in single action. This is a principle similar to the Heckler & Koch USP Compact or the Smith & Wesson 6900 Series. All 92D variants are no longer manufactured, as the series was discontinued in 1998.

Film

Beretta M9A1

Beretta M9A1 - 9x19mm

Beretta M9A1 (right side) - 9x19mm

Introduced in 2006 to meet the demands of the US Marine Corps, the M9A1 is a new version of the US military M9. Some of the improvements include a 1-slot Picatinny rail, more aggressive front and backstrap checkering, the straight squared trigger guard of the 92 Vertec, a beveled magazine well for easier reloading and a reversible magazine release for left-handed shooters. This version officially uses physical vapor deposition (PVD) coated magazines that are designed to offer increased resistance to sandy conditions in dry environments.

Beretta 92A1

Introduced in 2010, the Beretta 92A1 was designed based on elements from the 92FS and the 90two. The 92A1 is very similar to the M9A1, although it has the standard grip texture, two slots in the accessory rail and, most notably, a round trigger guard.

Beretta 92A1 - 9x19mm

Television

Beretta 90Two

Introduced in 2006, the 90Two is the more advanced version of the Beretta 92FS. The most obvious difference between the 92FS and the 90Two is the appearance. The 90-Two series has an "ergonomically enhanced" design, with a "technopolymer" interchangeable wrap-around style grip. This allows users to choose grips that work better with either large or small hands. Also notable is an accessory rail, allowing various light/laser accessories to be attached. One of the most distinctive design features on the 90Two is the removable polymer dust cover that protects the rail from damage when an accessory is not attached. The slide is also in itself a whole new design as the rough edges in the previous 92 models were smoothed out for a more "snag-free" design. The 90-Two also features an internal recoil buffer and upgraded sight points, with a 5mm increased length between them. The 90Two was produced in 9x19mm, 9x21mm IMI and .40 S&W versions. The 90Two was eventually replaced by the 92A1 and 96A1 and was discontinued in 2012.

Anime

Beretta M9A3

Beretta M9A3 - 9x19mm

The M9A3 is an improved version of the Beretta M9, featuring a Vertec-style vertical grip for smaller hands with an optional traditional backstrap, a flat-dark earth tan finish, a threaded barrel, a removable front sight, raised rear sights for suppressor use, a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail and thicker trigger guard for mounting lights, an angled-up decocker/safety, a beveled magazine well and sand-resistant magazines. It was designed as an option for the United States Military to replace the traditional M9, but was not considered, as the military sought a polymer-framed modular pistol; whereupon Beretta designed the APX instead, ultimately losing out to the SIG-Sauer P320. The M9A3 was later made available on the civilian market.

Video Games

Beretta 92FS Vertec

Beretta 92FS Vertec - 9x19mm

Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox - 9x19mm

In 2002, Beretta was struggling to keep up with the oversaturated law enforcement handgun market. In an attempt to address complaints about the 92 series' large size and bulk, the company introduced the 92FS Vertec, with a number of radical changes from previous 92-series models. Utilizing a short reach trigger and a drastically reduced and checkered straight backstrap to accommodate smaller hands. Additionally, the model featured an accessory rail, a straight squared trigger guard and the barrel was shortened from 4.9 inches to 4.7 inches while still retaining the same slide length as the standard 92FS, eliminating the trademark barrel protrusion. Some other more minor changes included a beveled magazine well to accommodate quick reloads and a dovetail cut in the front of the slide to allow the use of different aftermarket front sights. Despite all of these changes, the Vertec never achieved mainstream commercial success and was discontinued in 2007. However, the Vertec's innovations such as the grip size, accessory rail, trigger guard, replaceable front sight, and flared magazine well were welcome changes that have been utilized in many other 92 models, such as the Elite series, M9A1, M9A3 and the 92A1. Beretta began producing the Vertec again in 2014.

Film

Beretta 92G

The G series (so named because this configuration was first designed for the French "Gendarmerie") feature a decocking lever only instead of the safety-decocking lever of the FS. When the decocking lever is released, it automatically returns to the ready-to-fire position. There is no manual safety option on a 92G.

Video Games

Beretta 92G Elite 1A

The first 92G Elite pistol, simply referred to as the "Elite 1", was introduced in 1999. The Elite 1 is just a regular 92G with the heavier Brigadier bruniton slide. Front cocking serrations were added to the slide, the barrel was made from stainless steel, the hammer was made thinner and skeletonized and the magazine was beveled. A flat hammer spring cap was standard as well as the decock only (G-Model) feature a dovetailed front sight. It was replaced by the Elite 1A or Elite II options in 2001. The Elite 1A and the Elite II are basically just 92FS Vertecs with a Brigadier-style G slide and a thicker skeletonized hammer. The 4.7 in (120 mm) stainless barrel with Inox finish was also changed to the blackened stainless version like black Vertecs. Being a 92G model, it has a decocker only without an external safety, similar to a SIG-Sauer P226.

Video Games

Beretta 92G Elite II

Introduced in 2001, the Elite II replaced the Elite I option. The Elite II and includes the same features as the original Elite plus removable Novak-type sights, extended magazine release catch, checkered front and rear grip straps, thicker (than the Elite 1) skeletonized hammer, and lighter D-spring. This option is available only with the stainless G-Model slide, also with front serrations. The stainless barrel for the Elite II has a target crown.

Film

PAMAS G1

PAMAS G1 - 9x19mm. Note the slide nomenclature and different logo on the grip

The PAMAS G1 is the French license-built copy of the Beretta 92FS. The weapon was adopted in the late 1980's as the standard sidearm of French forces and now being replaced in favor of SIG Sauer SP2022. The safety switch is spring loaded and always returns to firing position when released, so it is only used to decock the gun. The non-French military version of the PAMAS G1 is made by Beretta as the 92G.

Video Games

Blank-firing Variants of the Beretta 92 Series Pistol

Note: Other countries have 'blank only' firearms that can fire out the front, however, historically ATF has restricted the import of these types of blank guns into the US, instead declaring them to be real guns.

Kimar Model 92

Kimar Model 92 black - 8mm Blank

Kimar Model 92 nickel finish - 8mm Blank

Kimar is an actual firearms manufacturer based in Italy. It is a subsidiary of Armi Chiappa who has several subsidiaries who specialize in different products. Armi Sport™ sells live firing replicas of black powder antique weapons whereas Kimar™ sells mostly Blank firing Non firearms. With the barrel permanently blocked and gas port relief holes drilled in the top of the chamber, it is definitely in the class of starter pistol and won't fire a flash in front of the barrel, but straight up.

Bruni 92

Bruni Model 92 - 8mm Blank

Bruni Model 92 chrome- 8mm Blank

Made by Bruni of Italy, it is a very good theatrical blank pistol and looks closer to the real Beretta 92FS than the Kimar does. The company was started by Bruna Bruni (born in 1920) after World War II and began building blank guns in the late 1940s. The company expanded greatly in the 1970s, to compete with Japanese Model guns of the period.

Reck Miami 92F

Reck Miami 92F, black finish - 9mm P.A.K. blanks

Reck Miami 92F, nickel finish - 9mm P.A.K. blanks

This blank firing pistol is currently manufactured by Umarex of Germany and feeds from 11 round magazines. The easiest way to identify this pistol is by the distinctive offset slide markings near the front of the slide, as well as the solid hammer (actual Berettas have holes machined in their hammers).

Film

Valtro Mod. 98 Civil

Valtro mod. 98 Civil - 9mm P.A. blank firing

This blank firing pistol, produced by Valtro (Italy), is based on Beretta 92FS Centurion and appeared in 1992, soon after its prototype appeared. It feeds from 11-round magazines, has a weight of 1.1 kg and length 203 mm.